FOLLOWING the rise in pork prices, the perch, a popular fish on Shenzhen dining tables, has been significantly costlier recently, the Daily Sunshine reported Thursday.

Farmers and dealers said the rise in perch prices was caused by reduced production in Shunde, the major perch base in Guangdong, as well as the increasing prevalence of fish diseases.

Industry insiders expect prices to remain high until September, when a large quantity of adult perch hit the market.

A survey by the Daily Sunshine newspaper found that perch prices in Shenzhen had risen 40 percent in the past three months.

"The price rose particularly fast this week," an official surnamed Huang with the Luofang Aquatic Products Wholesale Market in Luohu District told the paper. In a period of three days starting Monday, the wholesale price of perch at the market had risen 15 percent to reach 23 yuan (US$2.99) per kilogram, said Huang, adding that prices started rising in February.

"The price rose every month and within three months, it jumped 40 percent. I expect the price to reach 24 yuan per kilogram soon,"said Huang.

At the Shirble Department Store, perch was sold at 29.6 yuan per kilogram Wednesday. One month ago, a kilogram of perch cost 24 yuan.

Restaurants are yet to increase the prices of perch dishes, but analysts say they may do so in the near future.

A perch dealer surnamed Guo at the Luofang market said perch prices had also increased in Shunde, which produces 70 percent of the perch in Guangdong. "At the end of February, it cost only 12.40 yuan per kilogram to buy perches from Shunde ponds, but now the price is already 17.60 yuan per kilogram. Considering the transportation cost and labor cost, it's not strange that the wholesale price in Shenzhen reaches 23 yuan per kilogram," said Guo.

According to Shunde authorities, perch farmers reduced the area of breeding ponds by 201 hectares this year because the price of the fish was too low last year. They also said the fish were afflicted by diseases more frequently this year.

Earlier media reports said some fish dealers in Shunde had manipulated the prices, but the reports were denied by Shunde authorities.